Infrared thermography in the assessment of brown and white adipose tissue in children with different nutritional states

TL;DR

This study uses infrared thermography to assess brown and white adipose tissue in children with different nutritional statuses and finds correlations with body measurements.

Contribution

The study introduces infrared thermography as a non-invasive method to evaluate BAT activity and its relationship with obesity indicators in children.

Findings

Supraclavicular temperature negatively correlated with body fat percentage and other BIA variables.

BAT temperature showed inverse correlations with BMI, neck, waist, and hip circumferences.

IRT may help monitor adipose tissue function and the metabolic effects of physical exercise.

Abstract

To evaluate brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue using Infrared Thermography (IRT) in children with different nutritional statuses and correlate findings with anthropometric variables.

This cross-sectional observational study assessed body composition via bioelectrical impedance (BIA), skin temperature (supraclavicular and abdominal) through IRT, and anthropometric variables such as neck (NC), waist (WC), and hip (HC) circumferences. Calculations included waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and conicity index (CI). Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS 20.0, with normality checked by the Shapiro-Wilk and homogeneity by Levene tests. Groups (eutrophic, overweight, obese) were compared using Pearson's Chi-square for categorical variables, Kruskal-Wallis, and ANOVA tests for quantitative data. Correlations were analyzed using Spearman's method. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Of 160 participants, 116 children were analyzed (eutrophic: N = 58; overweight: N = 26; obese: N = 32). Significant differences were noted between the eutrophic and obese groups. Supraclavicular temperature negatively correlated with BIA variables (total body water, fat-free mass, body fat percentage).

IRT demonstrated inverse correlations between BAT temperature and BMI, NC, WC, and HC, underscoring its potential in obesity risk analysis. IRT also offers quantitative assessments of BAT activity and may estimate body fat percentages, suggesting its relevance for monitoring adipose tissue function and metabolic effects of physical exercise.

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